Conference on Work and Pensions: first discussion session on December 5th

"I am inviting all social partners to the plenary session of the conference on work, employment and pensions at the CESE (Economic, Social and Environmental Council) on December 5," the minister said in a written statement to AFP.

"This is the start of a collective approach to the future of our social model, which is at the heart of the concerns of the French people," added Jean-Pierre Farandou.

"This conference is a place for discussion and listening, not a place for negotiation, which should help to inform voters and candidates in the context of the 2027 presidential debates," he repeated.

The three themes discussed during this first day of debates will focus on "improving working conditions", how to "make our production model more efficient and develop employment, particularly for seniors and young people", and "transitions between professional activity and retirement", the ministry indicated.

This conference, called for by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu after the announcement of the plan to suspend the pension reform in October, was launched on November 4 in the absence of the CGT, which was holding an important meeting of its national confederal committee (CCN) that day.

On Friday, the CGT had not yet decided whether or not to attend, while considering that the program sent by the government did not meet its requirements.

"The CGT wants to talk about financing the repeal of the pension reform and the return to 60 years, early retirement due to arduous work, wages and the end of the labor ordinances," the union told AFP.

"She will not engage in a framework aimed at implementing a systemic reform of pension schemes, with a points-based or capitalisation system," warned the CGT.

The general secretary of the CFDT, Marylise Léon, whose organization is in favor of a points-based pension system, had for her part considered that the conference would allow "putting the subject of work, employment and pensions back on the right track".

The Medef, present on November 4, immediately slammed the door on the conference, referring issues related to the financing of social protection to the "autonomous social agenda", "defined by the social partners".

The leading employers' organization also wanted to signal its disapproval of the "budgetary debate which leads to a very sharp increase in levies on companies" and "is not conducive to building confidence" by withdrawing from the process.

The conference will be held three days after a day of strikes and demonstrations for wages and against budgetary austerity initiated by the CGT, the FSU and Solidaires.